‘Hey, take it easy,’ Dan said. ‘You’ve got an injury. I’m not here to hassle you, OK? I just care about you a lot –’
‘You don’t own me, Dan, and you’ve changed the subject. This is about you and Solomon, not me and Solomon.’
Dan had his hands clasped together, elbows on his knees. He was cradling his head in his hands and looking at the floor. ‘You’re not in the frame of mind to believe anything I say, so I’m wasting my breath. I can tell you categorically that I’m not working for Solomon and never have been.’
‘Well, I’m confused, Dan, because he definitely seems to think you’re helping him out.’
He steadily looked at her now. ‘Then he’s lying.’
‘One of you is lying. The guy knows everything about me. Everything.’
Dan’s forehead creased. ‘Not through me. He has contacts. Players. I’ve already told you all this, which is why I don’t want you anywhere near him.’
‘Or is it because you don’t want me to discover the truth?’
‘No,’ Dan said more quietly. ‘No, I want you to know the truth – all of it, so that if you don’t want me around you can protect yourself.’
‘I never said I didn’t want you around.’ She felt a flush of rage, but kept her voice down. ‘You walked away from me, Dan.’
‘Because I’ve nothing to offer a person who doesn’t trust me. How are we any further on now?’
Naomi collapsed into tears. Great warm drops fell from her eyes. Her nose ran. Dan rushed to put his arms around her and she allowed it. She hated herself for allowing it and for wanting him to stay.
‘I’m so sorry for upsetting you,’ he said.
She sobbed into his shoulder. Dan rubbed her back slowly up and down, generating a lot of warmth; filling a desperate need. She should tell him to go.
She didn’t. She blurted out, ‘I think about you every day. Did you get your job back?’
‘No,’ Dan said. ‘The hearing was postponed. I’m still waiting. The waiting is awful.’
‘What are you doing for money?’
‘I’m using what savings I have and I’m living very carefully. Don’t worry about me, I’ll survive.’
‘How did we end up in this mess, Dan?’
‘We’ve been entangled with messed up people who’ve infected our lives with suffering. And we’ve doubted each other.’
‘Each other?’ she asked him.
Dan pulled back and looked into her eyes. ‘I know you’re not telling the truth about your injury. That cut on your neck was caused by a knife. Who are you protecting, Naomi?’
It was Naomi’s turn to cover her face with both hands. Dan passed her a tissue from the bedside table and sat down in the chair again.
‘Myself.’
A small crease formed between Dan’s eyes. ‘I don’t understand. Someone’s hurt you. How are you protecting yourself by lying?’ Dan eyed her for a few seconds. ‘Was it one of Solomon’s players? Do you know who did this?’
Naomi sighed. ‘Keep your voice down, please.’
‘Do you know who it is?’ Dan repeated in a hoarse whisper. Naomi didn’t answer. ‘Well?’
‘Yes.’
‘Yes, you know who it is?’
‘Nathan,’ she said, glaring him.
‘I’m Dan.’
‘No – it was Nathan.’ Comprehension dawned and Dan’s face hardened and set.
‘Nathan?’ Dan shot to his feet. ‘I’ll kill him. Why haven’t you called the police?’
‘Shhh. Dan please.’
‘Naomi!’ Dan was furious. He leant down and whispered, ‘Why the hell are you protecting him?’
‘I’m not protecting him.’
Dan covered his face and panted against his hands, then he turned and moved to leave. ‘He’s got away with too much. If you won’t deal with –’
‘Dan.’ Dan looked over his shoulder. ‘Just listen, would you? Sit down. Please.’
Dan hesitated at first, then perched stiffly in the chair. He was breathing rapidly. Naomi brought her voice to a low whisper. ‘I told Nathan that I had medical proof that we’d never slept together. I told him I’d use it unless he keeps an appointment I’ve made at a solicitor’s. I’m this close to getting him out of my life,’ she said, holding up her forefinger and thumb, which were a centimetre apart. ‘He got into the house last night. I knew he would come and try to force himself on me. I even left the door and window open for him. I wrapped a strand of hair around my door handle, which had gone when I went to my room. I knew he was in there and I thought I was ready for him.’
‘You took one hell of a risk.’
‘I know, but effectively I trapped him, not the other way around. Anyway, money wasn’t enough for him. He was taking no chances. He was going to rape me. I fought to get away from him. Then he lunged at me. The room was dark and I banged my head. He probably doesn’t even know I’m hurt. Joel heard the bang and came upstairs. Nathan must have got away without anyone seeing him, but I’m betting he took the money.’
‘How much money?’
‘Fifty grand.’
‘Fifty grand?’ Dan raised his voice again, then lowered it to say, ‘Why did you offer him money?’
‘I appealed to his greed. I’ve promised him the same amount if he shows at the solicitor’s. I’ve no intentions of keeping that promise, Dan. If he shows, I’ll get him to sign the papers and then hopefully the police will start to take our side of the story more seriously. He’ll have to agree to the fact that we never slept together and sign a document. If he’s desperate enough for money, he’ll do it.’
Dan pushed his hair off his forehead and slumped in the chair. ‘He’d have to be insane to turn up.’
‘We both know he is insane. So that’s why I’ve told no one about what really happened. I don’t want the police ruining this for me.’
Dan shook his head. ‘He might have taken the money and disappeared and then you’ve missed the chance to have him arrested. He tried to rape you, Naomi, and he’s got away with it. I cannot believe he did that and that you let him in.’
‘He’s already tried to have me killed, Dan, and he got away with that too. He’s capable of anything.’ There was a more peaceful silence now. Dan’s breathing slowed down.
Naomi added, ‘And guess what?’
‘What?’
‘I set up a camera in my room, so I’m hoping the whole thing will be recorded.’
‘You said it was dark.’
‘Yep. And he was wearing a mask. But he spoke to me, so I’m hoping we’ll have some proof.’ A pause before Naomi made firm eye contact. ‘Listen, Dan, I’m not clear about what’s happened between us, but I’m trusting you now to tell no one about this. You’re the only person who knows. Promise me you won’t do or say anything before the appointment. If Nathan doesn’t show up, then I’ll let you report him and we’ll get the police involved, I promise. Give me your word you’ll do nothing until then.’
Dan reached out and touched her hand. She covered his hand with her free hand and found herself stroking his arm. Dan stood and perched on the end of the bed and leant over to hug her. ‘Of course I won’t say anything, but I don’t like any of this – you meeting Nathan by yourself, and Solomon knowing things he shouldn’t know.’
A doctor popped his head around the curtain.
‘Morning. I just need to borrow Naomi for a few minutes. Routine checks.’
Dan stood up, leaving his phone and keys on the bed. ‘I’m slipping to the bathroom, OK?’
Naomi nodded. Dan shook the doctor’s hand as he passed him. The doctor shone light in her eyes and started to take her blood pressure when Dan’s phone vibrated against the top of her leg.
‘How have you slept?’ He was squeezing a pump.
With doctors waking her every two hours? Was he kidding? ‘Fine thanks.’
‘Any pain this morning?’
‘Quite a lot really. My head’s throbbing, especially when I move.’
He nodded. ‘Any nausea or dizziness?’
‘Not really.’
‘That’s good. I’ve brought some pain relief.’ He went quiet and shifted to one side while he released a valve which made a hissing sound. The phone vibrated silently again and the screen lit up and she could see it. There was a name and three words. Each one made her feel sick so she flipped the screen face down onto the bed.
Not long later, Dan returned and collected his keys and phone and glanced at it, then slid it inside his pocket. The doctor continued to ask questions, so Dan made moves to leave. He blew her a kiss and slipped quietly away with the promise of getting in touch soon. She was relieved to see him go. Tears pricked her eyes. The name and message had seared onto her mind and was burning. Name: Solomon. Message: ‘Call me. Now.’
33
Solomon was agitated. He’d had another sleepless night, which wasn’t uncommon. He hadn’t tossed restlessly in bed all night; he hadn’t been to bed at all. He was still wearing the trousers and shirt he’d put on the previous morning. Light floated in dots across his vision; the room was shimmering on one side. The onset of a migraine was being exacerbated by vivid spring sunshine. He’d take a sleeping pill later and claim a few precious hours and lose a dull Sunday afternoon. No great loss. For now, he was waiting by his phone while his coffee stewed. His phone vibrated violently against the kitchen worktop at eight-forty.
He looked at it then snatched it up. ‘Where are you?’
‘I’ve slipped outside. This is not a great time, Vincent.’
Solomon scratched his head and announced in a measured tone, ‘I want to see you today face-to-face.’
‘I’m not interested in your money.’
‘You’ve made that clear.’
‘Why do you want to see me then?’
‘I want a full report, in person.’
‘I’m tired of you checking up on me.’
‘I’ll do whatever is necessary.’
Solomon got a long pause and a short sigh. ‘There’s nothing to tell.’
‘Which is exactly why I want to meet – to see if we can move things along. I’m not hearing wedding bells.’
‘Give me a chance.’
Solomon closed his eyes. ‘I’ve given you a deadline.’
Another wait. Another sigh. ‘OK, where?’
Solomon poured himself a cup of coffee. ‘My house. Eight p.m. prompt. Don’t ring the doorbell.’
The silence that followed was an agreement. Solomon drew a mouthful of bitter coffee and examined the sky, which promised another flawless, clear day.
‘So,’ Solomon said. ‘How is Naomi?’
‘She’s going to be fine. She’s hoping to be free of Nathan soon. There’s an appointment at the solicitor’s on the 30th of April, nine a.m. Nathan may or may not show, obviously. I’m the only one who knows about it.’
‘Not anymore you’re not.’
‘Don’t blow this. Stay away. And not a word to anyone.’
‘Relax, brother. It’s safe with me.’
‘I’m not your brother.’
Solomon smirked and ignored the comment. ‘She’s handled Nathan very well.’
‘She’s a very smart girl and Nathan’s a lunatic.’
‘Correct.’ He took another sip. ‘Does she suspect you?’
‘No.’
‘Sure? She’s very intuitive.’
‘Trust me, everything’s cool.’
A bee approached the window then decided against it and switched direction. ‘You know I don’t trust you at all.’
‘I’ve got to go now.’
‘You’ve done well.’
A cat was scratching a hole in his flower bed. It squatted to deposit a load then carefully covered it and filled in the gap. ‘Very smart,’ Solomon said under his breath. ‘I’ll see you at eight then. Don’t be late.’
<><><>
It was a relief to leave the hospital. An hour in that place felt more like four. All Naomi could think about was getting home and checking her room for the money and the camera.
The car journey unsettled her stomach. Being in the backseat didn’t help. Her mum was in the front, prattling on. Her dad was driving in silence.
‘Whatever happened with the money you got for the cars, Henry?’
‘Nothing.’
‘What do you mean, nothing? Did you bank it or put it in the safe?’
‘I can’t remember.’
Camilla swivelled her neck to look at him. ‘Well try to, Henry, because I like to keep tabs on the accounts. No huge sum has gone into the current account, so you must have done something with it.’
‘I’ll have a think.’
‘You’re very kind,’ she said sarcastically. ‘You alright, Naomi?’
‘I’m fine, Mum. I just want some quiet time in my own bed.’
‘Of course you do. Hospital wards are dreadful.’ A short pause. The scenery flashed by. ‘I can’t think about what would have happened last night if Joel hadn’t charged up to your room.’
‘I’m sure Annie would have rescued me.’
‘Apparently not. Joel was the only one who heard the thud from upstairs. Annabel thought that he was overreacting. She didn’t even move. I’ve thanked him half a dozen times, but it doesn’t seem enough. He made breakfast for the family this morning.’
‘That’s nice,’ Naomi said, distracted by nausea and a sore head.
They were home at last. She wanted to be alone. They pulled into the cul-de-sac. The only thing to look at was the woman next door, who was washing her car and leaning over the bonnet and soaping it with a sponge. She was wearing tiny lycra gym shorts and white trainers and a red tracksuit top. She had a great figure; very toned legs. She turned around and stared at the car as it approached and started waving and smiling. The zip on her top was pulled low.
‘Why is she waving like we’re long, lost friends, Henry?’
He cleared his throat to speak, but said nothing.
Camilla offered the woman a tiny wave and said, ‘She needs to zip her top up before she has an accident.’
Henry didn’t laugh. He muttered something about needing the toilet and slid between the two brick pillars. Annabel’s car wasn’t there, which meant the house was empty.
‘Don’t forget we’re having electric gates fitted next week, Henry. Wednesday morning first thing. I’ll need a post-box mounting on the outside wall.’
‘Hmm.’
‘Are you listening to me at all?’
Henry stopped the car and snatched the keys from the ignition. ‘I need the toilet, Camilla.’
As they spilled out of the car, the woman from next door appeared at the top of the drive.
‘Henry?’ she started jogging towards them. ‘I didn’t know you lived here. We’re next door neighbours,’ she laughed. Her teeth looked white and straight and too perfect to be real. ‘How bizarre is that?’
Naomi looked at her mum and dad. Her dad had turned an odd colour. He wasn’t speaking.
The woman pointed to her chest, which drew everyone’s eyes downwards again and said, ‘Amber!’
Eventually, Henry said, ‘Oh yes. Amber. How are you?’
She rushed to give him a hug and the scent of strong perfume hung in the air. Camilla was mute. Henry looked ready to collapse. ‘I’m doing great,’ she said. ‘Really well. I love it round here. So quiet and peaceful. Anyway, what about you lot? I saw an ambulance here last night. Is everyone alright?’
Camilla had turned to stone.
Henry was trying to distance himself from Amber. ‘Everything’s fine now. No problems.’
‘Good, good,’ she smiled. She was a force of energy, buzzing with life. ‘Glad to hear it.’ There was an awkward silence until Amber eventually added, ‘So, I haven’t seen you down at the gym in a while. Have you given up?’
<><><>
The day had been one of the worst in memory. Naomi’s head was ready to explode. It felt as though there was a build-up of pressu
re inside her brain, which made her dependent on strong pain killers. And they left her feeling queasy. Light-headed, she sauntered to her room and found that the filming had recorded almost nothing at all. There were two shapes which could have been anyone, and there was no sound. Why hadn’t it picked up sound? The only good news was that Nathan had failed to take the bag of money. It was still on the floor beside the desk.
She slumped on her bed. Disappointment pinned her down. The rumble of an argument was pouring from her parents’ bedroom. What was that about? Amber Big Chest was definitely something to do with it. When Naomi thought about it, her chest was probably as real as her teeth. She was very attractive in a probably-had-loads-of-work-done kind of way. Surely her dad wasn’t having an affair. No, that wasn’t it. Why would she have been surprised to see him in that case? And why would a woman like her fancy a bloke like him? But – a light bulb came on in her mind – he’d have to be blind not to notice her. Oh right!
Naomi sighed. Her mum had started to shout. Naomi’s thoughts drifted to Dan, which only darkened her mood and secured her more firmly to the bed. If Dan betrayed her now, she’d never get her annulment. If he confronted Nathan, Nathan would run. Why had she been open with Dan? Stupid. Stupid.
She ran through the conversation, trying to forget the parts where she was in his arms and the entire world felt peaceful and secure again. She’d once felt that way with Nathan. It meant nothing. If I told you that I’d be happy to spend the rest of my life with you and to commit to you and no one else, how would you respond? The rest of his life? What was Dan suggesting? Why had he come to the hospital? What did Solomon want?
The thoughts ran on a loop and threatened madness. She fantasised about getting away – far away from Manchester and the pressure of music assignments and performances; away from all the people she didn’t trust. She closed her eyes and found herself back on her island again with the shallow crystal waters and the bleached white sands beneath a cloudless sky. It was idyllic and beautiful and perfect. And Dan was still with her.
She groaned and covered her face. Then a door banged and Naomi was back in Bramhall again. She sat upright and listened.
The Darkness Visible Page 33